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Eternal Radiance
Chapter III: Being Human
"Where are you from, White?"
In the forest of death, she was a spectacle—a single ray of light in a world of darkness.
She was much smaller now, something "unbecoming" of a Diamond (as she'd put it). But for him, she made this exception, shrinking her physical form. She sat upon a branch, smiling warmly as she heard his question.
She turned to him. "Look up, little one."
And he did, lifting his gaze to the stars above. Billions upon billions of them. Glowing just as she did.
"You're kidding," he said, awed yet skeptical.
She laughed softly. "I'm entirely serious." She raised a glowing hand, pointing at a specific spot. "That is my home."
He turned, leaning closer.
"You're telling me that you're from all the way up there in the sky?"
She nodded, delighted by his curiosity. "Not the sky, per se. But beyond it."
He crossed his arms, eyes glinting playfully. "Prove it then."
A genuine look crossed her features.
"I will, Naruto. Someday, I'll take you there."
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Eternal Radiance
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Pink Diamond's palace was scheduled to be renovated the following day. The announcement went out just after Red Diamond's welcome at the city square. Spoken by White's pearl, the message was sent to all residents of Homeworld, broadcast to every screen and computer on the planet. It was to be a solemn affair, a project that would signal the official passing of an old era, as well as the subsequent declaration of a new one.
The best gems would be selected to carry out this sensitive assignment. Several bismuths, fifty to be exact, would be tasked with taking apart Pink Diamond's palace, then constructing a new one for Red Diamond. In addition to this, a few Peridots would be given the job of integrating various technologies into the new palace, modernizing it entirely.
Once vacant and silent, Pink's former abode would once again be filled with activity.
Along with the reconstruction efforts, a small statue of Pink Diamond would be erected near the capital. It was a symbol—a statement to all gemkind concerning Pink. That, despite her absence, she would never be forgotten. As the empire expanded to the reaches of the Local Group, then the Galactic Supercluster, then entire universe, she would be forever remembered.
Yellow's Palace
Yellow Diamond was seated on her faceted throne. A stern expression marred her striking features. She crossed a shapely leg, summoning a single screen; she typed several codes and then selected a file. She leaned back, resting her chin against a fist as the images commenced.
It was security footage from their Shattering Robonoids—drones that patrolled the lower levels of Homeworld, searching for Off-Color gems to destroy.
As the security footage played, Yellow arched a brow, watching as those three soldiers (the defective jasper and carnelian, as well as the amethyst) quickly dispatched six Shattering Robonoids.
Impossible, she mused. Even her most elite soldiers had difficulty destroying this generation of drones. And yet, here she was, witnessing the utter destruction of six robonoids.
Yellow Diamond frowned.
Perhaps these models weren't as efficient as she had been led to believe. Perhaps these robonoids weren't properly programmed. Anything would suffice to explain such an embarrassment. Because, under no circumstances, could she accept that defective gems were capable of destroying drones specifically designed to be a challenge to even her most elite soldiers.
"Pearl," the diamond spoke, ending the footage.
The petite gem stood at attention, stepping forward without hesitation.
"Yes, my Diamond?"
"Schedule a meeting with my top technicians," she instructed. "Compose a message to all of them. I wish to revisit our latest robonoid designs."
"As you wish, my Diamond," Pearl replied, bowing her head. She summoned a device of her own, sifting through her owner's busy schedule, attempting to locate the best time for a meeting to occur. Soon finding one, she quickly set the date, composed a message, and then continued taking pictures of herself and Yellow Diamond—something she loved to do. It wasn't much, just little images here and there.
So far, no one had seen them—save for blue Pearl. Sometimes, she almost wished she could share her pictures with more gems. But that wasn't her purpose. Therefore, it was prohibited. She shook those thoughts from her head, all so she could focus on one thing.
Serving her Diamond.
The sound of laughter made Yellow Diamond and her pearl look up. At the entrance of Yellow's room, the diamond insignia shined brightly. Then the double doors opened, revealing both Red and Blue. They walked in with smiles on their faces, blue laughing into her palm.
Yellow's eyes moved from her screens to both diamonds. Little space separated the two, and she could tell that they were a bit more fond of each other—more so than yesterday.
She paused, feeling something within her gem.
A spark of… longing?
No, couldn't be. Even so, she could not look away from them, tempted to join the pair.
But she was far too busy.
For the past two thousand years, she'd been the one holding them together, keeping their empire from falling to pieces. While Blue had grieved, she had worked. While White planned, she had acted—buried herself in a mountain of tasks. And now, she was enslaved by those tasks, unable—unwilling—to let herself have a break.
But perhaps, this was her way of grieving.
Pink was gone. And so much of it was her fault. She played a key role giving Pink a colony, which led to the rebellion, which led to her shattering.
Every time she looked at Red, she would feel a desire to be closer to him. To teach him. To be there for him. Yet she feared that she'd repeat the same mistakes of the past, hurting both him and herself in the process.
"Hey, Yellow," Naruto greeted, smiling warmly.
She couldn't ignore that smile, looking up from her work.
"Red," she spoke calmly. "I see you're becoming more acclimated to Homeworld."
Naruto crossed his arms. "Yeah, Blue's been showing me around. I thought I'd seen most of Homeworld already, but, wow, it's even bigger than I imaged."
He glanced around, observing the countless bubbles that floated in Yellow's room. They ranged from recently poofed gems, to strange and twisted artificial fusions.
"Mind if I take a look around?" he asked.
Yellow nodded once, typing. "If you want."
While he walked to a different section of the room, Blue moved to Yellow's side, leaning against her, wrapping an arm around her armor-plated shoulder.
"He reminds me so much of her, Yellow," Blue whispered, observing him as he gazed upward, curiosity in his crimson eyes.
"He's not her, though," Yellow replied, sliding through another file. "I hope you remember that."
"Of course I do," Blue said, rolling her eyes. "You think I'm using him to replace her, don't you?"
"I didn't say that," Yellow replied.
Blue shrugged. "Well, no one will ever replace her, as I'm sure you know. But that doesn't mean we should avoid getting to know him."
Yellow frowned, stiffening at the implication. She whispered hotly, "You think I'm avoid-"
"I know you are," Blue whispered back, an amused glint in her eyes.
While both diamonds discussed the consequences of his arrival, from a distance, Naruto turned and beckoned yellow Pearl to him.
She looked at her diamond, then at him, before moving forward.
"Red Diamond," she greeted, saluted, then bowed respectfully. "You're in need of my services?"
"Yes, Pearl," he said, looking around. "Could you tell me about these bubbles?"
"Certainly, Red Diamond," she answered, summoning her personal screen. "One moment, please." She located, then slid through, a detailed report. "Within these bubbles are artificial fusion experiments, formed from the traitorous shards of shattered gems. They are mindless, nonautonomous remnants of rebellious Crystal Gems, non-conforming gems, criminal gems, and Off-Color gems."
Naruto frowned. "I figured." Though these gems were technically "dead", devoid of their original personalities, he could feel the vestiges of their emotion turmoil, even within their bubbles. "Thanks, Pearl."
Her eyes widened. "W-well, of course, Red Diamond." She hastily bowed, reveling in his praise.
Naruto raised a hand, and one of the bubbles was drawn to him. The fear and helplessness were far greater up close, flowing like a river from this amalgamation of shattered gems. Even inside the bubble, they suffered, fighting to take form.
Making sure not to release the being within, he focused. His gem glowed dimly. A fiery red aura surrounded his palm. And discreetly, he poured out his energy, flooding the shards.
After a time, the turmoil within began to dull, replaced by calmness. It wasn't much, but this was all he could do for them. Hopefully, whoever these shards used to be, they would at least find a bit of peace in each other.
"Be careful with that," Yellow suggested from afar.
Naruto let the bubble float to its previous position. He moved back to where they were, crossing his arms once more.
"Have you seen Pink Diamond's statue?" he asked, quickly changing the subject.
Yellow looked to him, finally turning from her screen. "No, not yet."
"The bismuths are nearly finished," Blue explained. "And by the looks of things, it's going to be beautiful."
"Good," replied Yellow. "Perhaps, with its completion, we can finally be rid of that silly zoo."
Naruto's eyes narrowed. He recalled something important. Something Rose had pleaded with him to do.
"Zoo?" he inquired, probing further.
"Yes, Pink convinced us to create a zoo, not long after she arrived on earth," Yellow explained. "It was a silly idea, really. A way of preserving that planet's organic life."
"Yellow, it was special to her," Blue cut in. "We cannot destroy it. Even with the statue, we need more to remember her by. This zoo is her legacy, something we all agreed upon."
"Was it really that special?" Naruto asked, steering the conversation.
"Very," Blue said softly. "She used to take us there from time to time."
"Well, if it was that special to her, then I think it's worth preserving," Naruto said.
"Now look what you've done, Blue," Yellow said, exasperated. "You've convinced him too." She sighed. "All right then. I suppose we'll keep the zoo."
"Thank you, Yellow," Blue spoke genuinely. She could have kept the zoo anyway. But she'd rather them agree on it first.
"Would it be okay if we visited the zoo today?" Naruto asked Blue.
Blue smiled gently. "Yes, we can go if that's what you want."
"Aren't you supposed to be planning for the jubilee, Blue?" asked Yellow, once again looking at several of her golden screens. A diamond shaped emblem began to glow on one of her monitors, alerting her of a situation.
"I'm aware of that," Blue replied, moving to stand next to Naruto. "But we're also supposed to be helping Red. He needs us to be there. He needs to learn to be a proper diamond."
While she spoke, Blue's hands had found its way around his arm. It was a gentle, yet protective hold.
"Blue's still showing me around," Naruto said, looking to Yellow expectantly. "Maybe… you'd like to join us?"
Yellow Diamond hesitated, turning to them. Another alert appeared on her one of her screens, and she frowned.
"I'm afraid not," she said, finally rising from her seat. "It appears there was an incident on one of my mining colonies, an explosion of sorts."
"One of your Emeralds, or Hessonites can handle it," Blue suggested. "I'm sure there are many places you wish to show Red."
"I… can't," Yellow replied. For the first time, she looked conflicted. "I will see you two later. Come, Pearl."
With that, she began walking toward the double doors, her pearl following closely behind. Somehow, she managed to keep up with her Diamond's lengthy strides.
Blue lingered for a moment. Then she sighed, disappointed. "We should get going as well. There's still much to do. We have an extraction scheduled later today, so we'll head to the zoo first."
They made their way out of Yellow's palace. Two Topaz guards stood at the entrance, holding their weapons at the ready. As they exited the double doors, both gems saluted. He gave them a nod of acknowledgement.
Passing through a lengthy bridge, Naruto stroked his chin in thought. Above them, Yellow's ship, usually docked at the top of her palace, was already taking off, shooting up into the stars.
"Is she always working?" he asked, interested.
"Always," Blue said sadly. "Then again, much of this is my fault."
"Your fault?" he tilted his head. "How so?"
They stopped walking.
Blue sighed.
"After Pink's shattering… I wasn't myself," she admitted. "Everything changed so much. White stopped talking to us. I even neglected some of my duties. But not Yellow. She didn't break down like me. She continued to work, holding me together, keeping me from falling to pieces." Her blue gaze found the yellow tiles of the bridge. "She… she must resent me for leaving her so long."
No. That wasn't it.
"Blue, I don't think she resents you," he ventured. "I haven't been here long, so I don't know much, but I feel like I'm beginning to understand both of you. You and Yellow are different, yes. But she was also grieving, Blue. Just in a different way. I can feel it. While you faced what you felt, she suppressed it. She smothered her grief with work." He paused, pondering. "Well, at least that's what I suspect."
Blue was struck by his words. "Perhaps you're right," she whispered, smiling bitterly. She couldn't hold his gaze. "Look at us, Red. We're supposed to be teaching you how to be a proper diamond. But even we can't seem to get it right."
"That's okay," he said simply. "There's no problem with getting things wrong every once in a while."
"If Yellow heard you say that…" Blue said, picturing her reaction. "Still, we are Diamonds. We ought to be perfect—flawless, an example to the gems beneath us."
"And who decided that?" he inquired.
"White, of course," Blue lectured firmly, conviction in her words. "She is the very embodiment of perfection. We strive to present our most flawless selves to her."
She's not as perfect as you think, he wanted to say, but refrained from doing so. "Regardless," he said, not wishing to argue. "I don't view you or Yellow as anything less just because you were affected by Pink's shattering. Being perfect doesn't mean we shouldn't feel."
He took her hands in his, squeezing them gently.
"That's true, I suppose," she said, contemplative. "And to think, I'm the one who should be teaching you. Yet here you are, advising me."
Naruto rubbed his spiky mane sheepishly. "Well, I have travelled far and wide and gained a bit of knowledge."
"Oh, indeed," Blue Diamond replied, recalling that detail. "But now you're here with us."
"As it should be," he said, earning small smile from Blue.
They continued their walk, headed to her palace.
Space - Blue's ship
Pink Diamond was not dead.
In fact, she was safe and sound, living out her days on his home planet. It pained him, knowing this truth, while being unable to reveal it to Yellow and Blue. The impact of her "death" was still there. He could feel it. Their sadness. Their regret. He knew the bond Diamonds shared would be strong, but he never imagined it would be like this. Being with them for just one day was enough for him to start feeling attached.
Their pain was his pain, especially since he could feel their negative emotions.
He was almost tempted to tell Blue. Almost. But he couldn't. He had made a deal with Pink, promising that he would keep her secret, that he would respect her wishes.
The only person who could reveal the truth… was Pink herself.
"Hey boss, are you going to get a ship like this?" Carnelian asked, staring out into the expanse of space that lay before them. "Because this thing's fast. Way faster than our colony ship."
They were all on the ship's bridge, with Blue sitting in the center, piloting. Her pearl was close by, tracing her fingers across her personal screen.
The rest of his crew was here as well. Carnelian was energetic as usual, unable to sit still. Skinny sat close to him, calm and collected, leaning her head against him. And Jay was on the floor, legs crossed, eyes closed, meditating—an important skill she had picked up from him.
"I might," Red answered her question. Seated next to Blue, he titled his head. "Right?"
Looking away from her work, she gave a small nod.
"In time, you'll be given a ship. Now, when it comes to the design, well, I don't know. There's a chance you'll get a leg-ship, but knowing White, your ship might be different."
Naruto considered her words. A leg-ship, while interesting, seemed a bit antiquated. Pink already had one. And even before the rebellion, according to Rose, they rarely even combined for practical reasons. Only for celebrations and events—just for the sake of symbolizing their unity. Other than that, they had little reason to combine all the ship's parts.
And speaking of celebrations, it looked as though Blue had finally begun planning for the Cosmic Jubilee—something she, as well as Yellow, had mentioned. While thousands of stars whizzed by them, Blue was surrounded by a few screens of her own. Her features were focused, her eyes intense as she typed, sifting through countless images, and scheduling dozens of events.
He couldn't help but look at her, captivated by her beauty.
Glancing at him, she caught his gaze.
"What is it?" she inquired.
"Nothing, Blue," he said, laughing a bit. "You just seem so focused, is all."
Blue paused, smiling. "Well, I have much to do. The Jubilee doesn't occur often. And with you here, the celebration must be the best it's ever been." Her eyes became distant, wistful. "Because I want you to see it, Red. I want you to see the glory of our empire."
"This is really important, huh?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered. "Every colony will be celebrating. Billions of gems will honor us. There will be tournaments, music, plays, balls—oh, we haven't had a ball in ages! I can't wait for you to see it."
Naruto grinned.
"Well, if you're this excited, I look forward to it."
She was filled with such anticipation. Her eyes were bright, brighter than they had been yesterday.
"Here," Blue began, passing him one of her monitors. "I want you to study this."
He accepted the diamond-shaped screen; and the moment he touched it, the color shifted from light blue to crimson red.
"This document contains information regarding every kind of gem in existence, as well as prospective new gem-types," she explained. "I want you to know all of them before the Jubilee."
"Seems simple enough," he said. Perhaps when he was human, he would have cringed at the thought of memorizing thousands of pages worth of information (even with clones). But now, as a gem, with his intellectual capacity higher than ever, he actually looked forward to it.
First on the list was a gem-type called Peridot. Technicians. A lower middle-class of gems that specialized in the management of Kindergartens, as well as the development of technology.
He began reading, marking the text with various notes and comments.
Some minutes of study later, he reached the quartz section. Middle-class gems. Soldiers, made to protect, made to fight. The image of a standard Jasper appeared on his screen, and he continued reading, studying the attributes of this fierce warrior set of quartz. But his muse was broken by the gem below him.
He could feel something radiating from her, from Skinny.
A negativity he didn't quite like.
He glanced downward, and she was staring at his screen, yearning in her gaze. Skinny was a Jasper. Though, not in the typical sense. She was tall, but petite, lacking the muscular build of a "normal" Jasper.
And for the longest time, it had been a major insecurity of hers.
"Hey," he whispered gently, leaning closer. "You know I don't like seeing you like that."
"S-sorry, sir," Skinny said, shaking her head. "I thought I'd gotten over this."
"Don't apologize. I understand. You're in a new place, with different rules and ideals of what's normal. It's okay if those feelings come back. Just don't dwell on them." With a mighty finger, he lifted her chin, so she could look into his diamond-shaped pupils. "Remember, I'll always be on your side. No matter what others may say or think."
She nodded slowly, a faint smile on her lips. "I will," she whispered back. "Always."
"Whoa! Skinny, Jay, check this out," Carnelian suddenly exclaimed, beckoning her mates over.
Amethyst didn't move, keeping her meditative stance. Though, she did open a single eye, glancing over at Carnelian.
"What?" Skinny asked, getting down from where she was sitting with Red.
"Look at her drawings," the crimson quartz explained.
Below, Naruto observed curiously. Carnelian and Skinny surrounded blue Pearl, staring at her diamond-shaped screen.
Pearl looked about tentatively, attempting to keep her drawings from view. But she had little success.
"Hmm, these are pretty good," Skinny admitted. "Sir, you should see these."
Naruto rose a brow, attention fully on the blue gem.
"May I, Pearl?"
She shuffled nervously, looking at her feet. "U-um, if… if that's what you desire, Red Diamond," she spoke softly, bowing her head. Pressing a finger to her screen, she transferred the images onto his larger monitor. "T-there nothing much," she added.
Pearl waited patiently, inwardly fearful of his impending response. While her diamond permitted her to draw during court proceedings, she took far greater liberties, crafting images even outside the courtroom. It wasn't her purpose, but she enjoyed doing it.
Was that wrong?
Would… would she be punished for this?
Beneath her bangs, Pearl tightly shut her eyes.
"These are very good," he finally said.
She opened her eyes.
"R-really?" Pearl whispered.
Looking through her drawings, he was impressed. They mostly featured events from the courtroom. But there were others too. Drawings of Blue, looking off contemplatively. Depictions of Homeworld's towering buildings. Drawings of yellow Pearl. And even a few sketches of him.
"Have you seen these, Blue?" he asked. "Pearl draws really well."
"I sometimes allow it," Blue stated, almost dismissively, not very interested in her Pearl's art. She continued to work, deeply focused on her task.
He returned his attention to Pearl, giving her a bright smile. "Well, I like them very much. Excellent work." Though her art was a bit structured, relying on sharp lines (rather than curving, dynamic contours), it still worked. "I might have you draw something for me someday, Pearl."
Her eyes, hidden behind her bangs, were wide. Her cheeks burned fiercely, and she clasped her hands in front of her, timidly twiddling her thumbs.
"How about you draw us?" Carnelian asked, striking a triumphant pose.
"Please," said Skinny. "You look ridiculous."
Jay, still in a meditative stance, shook her head with mild annoyance.
"You guys are so loud," the amethyst finally spoke, rising from where she sat. She pulled both gems into a headlock. "Okay, Pearl. You can draw us now."
Pearl looked uncertain, glancing to Blue Diamond. But as expected, Blue was still busy with her work, paying them little mind. Then she glanced at Red, almost asking for permission.
"Go ahead," he encouraged.
And she did, positioning her screen to draw these strange, yet charming, gems from earth.
Holly Blue Agate was shaking.
Shaking with anticipation!
For the second time in two days, the diamonds were visiting them, traveling great distances to this isolated outpost.
It was dream come true, another chance to display her loyalty and dedication to the Authority.
Because… over the years, Holly had felt forgotten. Even though she understood that being stationed at Pink's most prized habitation was an honor, at times it felt as if gem society had moved on without her. Once, she had been part of Blue Diamond's royal guard, respected, adored. Now, however, she rarely even made trips back to Homeworld, for fear that the rowdy earth gems under her supervision would turn the zoo into a madhouse.
But all those cycles of diligence seemed to be paying off. She was finally being recognized for maintaining the zoo.
Holly could feel a smile forming on her lips. Oh, how she couldn't wait to meet Red Diamond in person.
She had watched the broadcast live, just like everyone else, utterly shocked by the arrival of a new Diamond. And while she wished she had been on Homeworld to witness the historic event, the very fact that Red Diamond was coming to visit made her giddy with anticipation.
As she moved through the pink halls, inspecting her surroundings for signs of disrepair, two Amethyst guards came rushing toward her.
They paused abruptly, awkwardly forming the diamond salute.
"Holly Blue," one of them began, panicked. "Blue Diamond's ship is in sight. She'll be here any moment!"
Holly's eyes bulged from their sockets.
"W-why didn't you tell me sooner?!" she roared, shoving them aside. "Head to the docking bay, now!"
She all but sprinted to the control room, announcing the arrival of Blue and Red Diamond to everyone in the zoo.
Chaos ensued.
The halls were filled with the sound of pounding feet. Two-hundred soldiers exited their quarters, marching in formation—straight to the docking bay.
Once there, the air was alight with nervous chatter. Rows of soldiers, lined up, fidgeted in place.
Holly rubbed her temples, stressed and frustrated.
Earth gems, she thought. No discipline. No sense of respect.
"Everybody, QUIET!"
All talking ceased. Only the sound of Holly's clicking heels could be heard. She walked about silently, arms clasped behind her back. She observed the formation of the Amethysts, the Jaspers, and the Carnelians.
Sloppy, unrefined. Pitiful.
"Backs straight! Shoulders square!" she ordered. And they complied, standing stiffly. "Now, I don't know if you understand the gravity of what is about to happen. But in case you didn't hear me the first hundred times already, I will repeat myself once more."
She moved to the front, where she could be seen by everyone.
"A new diamond is being ushered into our glorious empire," she lectured, eyes roaming through the gathered gems. "And this diamond considered us important enough to pay a visit. Quite frankly, this is a momentous occasion. We must present our best selves to Red Diamond." She summoned her electrical whip, striking the ground fiercely. The soldiers winced at the sight. "Anyone who does not display the utmost respect for our leaders will be severely punished! Is that understood?"
"Yes, Holly Blue Agate," everyone chimed, saluting.
In line, Amethyst 8XG looked on nervously. She nudged her fellow kindergarten mate (8XL), gaining her attention.
"El," Amethyst whispered. "What's…what's with all the diamonds lately?"
El shrugged, trying to remain calm. "I dunno, Gee. But I'm getting kinda tired of it. Especially the way Holly acts when they're around."
Amethyst 8XG almost groaned. "I know. She's, like, ten times worse."
El sighed. "Guess we have to pretend to be one of those stuffy Homeworld soldiers a little while longer, huh?"
"I hate pretending," Amethyst whispered.
"I know, I know," El mumbled. "At least we get to see the new diamond, right?"
"Yeah, Holly only let a few of us out last time Blue and Yellow came," Gee replied. She suddenly looked nervous. "This really must be important then."
El seemed to grow nervous as well, even though she was the most confident of the surviving Prime Amethysts.
"Just… try not the stand out," El suggested, glancing at her fellow soldier.
Amethyst agreed, nodding. "Sounds like a good idea-"
An electrical whip struck the ground, just in front of them. Both gems stiffened, glancing up at an annoyed Holly.
"What part of quiet do you two not understand?" she hissed.
Two of them stammered out an apology. But before Holly continued her scolding, the sound of a chime echoed through the docking bay.
The blue quartz quickly turned around, and a tenseness filled the air. Everyone was still. Holly made her way to the front of the gathered soldiers. Despite her previously angered expression, a bright smile suddenly appeared on her face as she waited for the automatic doors to open.
A moment later, the doors slide apart. Just outside, the blackness of space could be seen. The outline of Blue Diamond's ship dwarfed the entrance.
Because the massive arm could not fit inside the zoo, a walkway extended from the docking bay to the ship. Then, once connected, two beings immerged from within, moving one in front of the other.
Blue Diamond was first, leading the way. Red Diamond followed, eying the facility closely.
Behind the two diamonds was a tiny Pearl, obedient and docile. But it was the last three gems that made all the gathered soldiers stiffen with shock.
Naruto looked down, watching with amusement as Jay, Skinny, and Carnelian's eyes grew wide.
They stood like statues, just behind him, dumbfounded, observing all the soldiers gathered in the zoo. These were their comrades, their kindergarten mates, separated by the diamond attack two-thousand years ago. Tears welled in the eyes of two-hundred soldiers, instantly recognizing three of them. But no one dared make a sound, lest they be punished for disrespecting Homeworld's mighty leaders.
His three soldiers turned to him, countless questions running through their minds.
Naruto gave them a wink, indicating that he knew. He knew that this was where some of Pink Diamond's surviving soldiers resided. Blue had told him about it just after they left Yellow's palace.
"Blue," he whispered, teasingly. "Why are they crying?"
An innocent look crossed her features. "It's not me," she whispered back. "Perhaps they are just so honored to be in our presence. It happens all the time."
He laughed a bit, knowing full well why these gems were in tears. It was an old tale, one he'd heard countless times, of how, just before the final attack on earth, his three wonderful soldiers had risked their lives to help those around them get to safety, aiding even aristocrats in finding their way off planet. Especially Jay, who'd gone back for Carnelian and Skinny—right as he emerged from the earth.
"Boss," Carnelian said silently, wiping her eyes. "They're all okay."
Before any more could be said, Holly Blue stepped forward, saluting and giving them a bow. Her eyes roamed from him to Blue, then to the three soldiers by his side. Caught off guard for moment, she quickly recomposed herself.
"My diamond," Holly announced. "As always, it is a pleasure to see you." She then turned to face Naruto, awed to be standing before him. "And Red Diamond! Oh, what an honor! What a privilege! We welcome you to the Human Zoo. And I thank you, not only for strengthening the Authority, but for taking the time to visit this outpost. Please, if you do not mind, I would like to give you a complete tour of our facility."
"I'd like that," he said, somewhat surprised by the praise she lavished upon him. "And what is your name, quartz?"
"Holly Blue Agate, your opulence," she quickly said.
Opulence?
Naruto glanced at Blue. She smirked mirthfully, amused. You get used to it, she mouthed.
"All right then, before we begin the tour," Naruto said, suddenly taking on a commanding tone. Blue tilted her head curiously. "I want to first acknowledge three gems very precious to me."
Everyone was looking at the soldiers by his side. They shuffled nervously at the sudden attention. But Naruto continued, smiling proudly.
"In the face of confusion and fear, they did not waver, nor did they abandon their comrades," he spoke. "During the final evacuation from earth, these three risked their very lives to help save as many gems as they could." His eyes raked across the gathered soldiers, finally falling on Holly Blue. "They've earned my trust, and I expect them to be treated with the utmost respect, regardless of their origin."
At the mention of the evacuation from earth, Blue frowned.
"As… as you wish, Red Diamond," Holly said quietly.
"Soldiers!" he announced, calling upon the gems struggling to stand in formation. "You can all relax. You haven't seen these three in so long, correct?" They nodded, and he grinned. "It's okay to welcome them back, you know. Go on ahead."
His words eased the tension in the air. An atmosphere of calmness descended on them. And though, at first, some gems hesitated, a few Amethysts and Jaspers and Carnelians broke their ranks, rushing to the three gems. Naruto stepped aside as a wave of soldiers moved to embrace their long-lost comrades.
Holly was speechless, tempted to call the soldiers back into formation. But this was a direct order from a diamond. She couldn't defy it, nor could she protest.
Soon, joyous commotion filled the docking bay, and his three soldiers were welcomed with warm hugs, then lifted up by their mates. There were tears and laughter and pure happiness.
Jay, Carnelian, and Skinny, still surrounded by their comrades, looked to him—thankful and overwhelmed with tears.
"You're welcome," he whispered.
Blue stood next to him, silently observing all that was occurring. She was unreadable, but he knew many things were going through her mind.
"Okay, Holly," he said with a smile. "Let's begin that tour."
Holly tore her eyes from the chattering soldiers.
"Of… of course."
Half-way through the tour, Blue went ahead of him, toward a set of pink double doors. She'd already seen this facility countless times, so there was no need for her to linger while Holly showed him around.
He'd agreed, planning to meet her in that specific room at the end of the tour.
Now, with Holly taking the lead, she showed him all that the facility had to offer. She explained many things. Ranging from the zoo's power source, to daily activities, and to the living quarters of the soldiers.
Naruto paused, peering through a small entrance. Within, he saw a massive room with small cube-like spaces.
"That's where the soldiers live?" he asked.
Holly nodded, eager to answer his question. "Yes, each one of them is assigned a specific cubby. A bit too spacious, if you ask me."
Naruto frowned. He looked closer. "Spacious?" he inquired. "There's barely enough room to move around, let alone be comfortable."
"W-well," she began. "Only higher-class gems—such as myself—are permitted to have rooms of their own, Red Diamond."
"Hmm." He shook his head. "I don't like it. There are plenty of unused compartments in this facility, correct?"
Sweat slid down Holly's temple. "Y-y-yes, there are," she admitted.
Naruto only nodded in response, considering actions he could take. He turned around, beckoning Holly onward. They continued the tour, with the blue quartz seeming more nervous than ever before.
He wasn't purposefully trying to intimidate her. But he had to make it clear that he would not stand for the mistreatment of any gem, whether "lower" or "upper" class. By the end of his stay here, she would know what kind of diamond he was going to be.
Not long after, they were standing in an observation booth, behind a one-way glass. Beyond it, both him and Holly observed the humans kept in the zoo. The people within went about their day, unaware of the fact that they were being watched. Approximately one-hundred of them resided there, ranging from children to adults.
Naruto crossed his arms, looking on with a keen gaze. He searched for any signs of discomfort or distress. Anything that would lead him to believe they were being mistreated in anyway.
He found none.
"As you can see, the humans are kept in comfortable conditions," Holly explained. "They are provided for, cared for, and given shelter. They're simple creatures, really. Give them organic sustenance and they're sure to behave." She chuckled a bit, but when Red Diamond didn't join in, she grew quiet, clearing her throat. "W-well, in any case, you'll see that they are satisfied in every way possible."
"Where is the entrance?" he asked.
Holly's eyes grew wide.
"Don't… don't tell me you intend on going in there?"
"I do," he said simply. "I want a closer look. To confirm what you've just told me."
The blue quartz nodded meekly, unable to protest. She led him out of the observation area, and they circled around the facility until they reached an entrance to the Human Zoo.
"Stay out here until I return," he instructed.
"Yes, Red Diamond," Holly answered, opening the door for him.
It was small, but a bit of shapeshifting, and he was able to go right through, leaving Holly in shock, watching as a diamond changed their physical form (something unheard of).
Later
They found him playing with the children of the zoo.
It was an endearing sight. Red Diamond, shrunken down, ran about, entertaining humans the size of an aquamarine. The parents of these children watched, smiling, happy to be in his company. Already, the people of the zoo had taken a liking to him, drawn by his magnetic personality.
He lifted two children unto his shoulders, gently floating into the air. They screamed with glee, laughing and cheering for more. What proceeded next was a chorus of boys and girls, chanting "me next". And he happily obliged, taking the time to ensure each child's desire to fly was fulfilled.
Skinny smiled, rolling her eyes. So typical of him. He always seemed to have a soft spot for young organics.
Carnelian didn't linger for long. She rushed to where he was, joining in the fun. She jumped on his back, and they tumbled on the soft grass, both bursting into laughter.
Jay shook her head, laughing as well. "It's almost hard to believe that someone so powerful can also be so playful," she said.
"I know," Skinny replied. "But I'm glad that's the way he is."
"Yeah," the curly-haired amethyst said.
Behind them, Holly Blue peered through the entrance. Her eyes grew wide as she witnessed Red Diamond's playful side. But once she caught Jay and Skinny's gazes, she quickly turned away, closing the door.
While the reunion with their fellow soldiers had been wonderful, the trio quickly realized that they hadn't properly thanked Red for bringing them here. So, with the aid of one of their mates, they tracked him down, finding Holly posted at a door, waiting patiently for him to return from within.
Jay and Skinny found a tree to sit under. They leaned against it and watched him from a distance. After a time, he finally came to them, Carnelian at his side. He held a sleeping child in his arms, and he sat down in the grass, between both of them.
The child he held stirred, then wrapped her arms around him, resuming her little nap. He smiled warmly. She looked so peaceful. So care-free. For all its flaws, this artificial world certainly worked on some levels.
Though certain aspects, of course, weren't quite right—mainly the "choosening" ritual he heard so much about.
But still, something bothered him about the humans that had been selected to be here. Looking down at the child in his arms, he examined her features once more. Mainly, her eyes. He had seen them earlier. They were lavender, reminiscent of a certain clan of humans—long since extinct. And she wasn't the only one like this. Most zoomans possessed the striking features of ancient groups of humans.
It made him ponder deeply. By what criteria were people here chosen?
He'd investigate this further. But for now, he chose to enjoy the company of those around him.
An artificial breeze blew, carrying with it the scent of grass and fresh fruit. Skinny leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Thanks," she whispered. "For doing this."
Jay turned to him, frowning. "I feel like you do so much for us, but we never do anything even remotely similar in return."
Carnelian, laying on the grass, clasped her hands behind her crimson hair. She looked contemplative. "Yeah, is there anything we can do for you, boss?"
Naruto ruffled her hair. "Besides being by my side, I don't really want anything."
"B-but, sir," Jay said. "I still think-"
"Look," he said. "You guys saved me. You know that, right?"
They stared curiously, wondering what he meant. After all, he was the one that had saved them on earth.
Naruto gazed into the distance, watching the humans as they went about their day.
"When I emerged, everything I'd every known was gone," he said softly. "All the people I ever loved—the people that I fought so hard to protect. They were long dead, and I failed to keep the earth safe. I had nothing. I had no one. I was alone." But he smiled, a gentle twitch of the lips. "Then I met you three. And suddenly, I had something to live for. You gave me the strength to start anew, and for that, I'm forever grateful."
They were left stunned. In all their years together, he hadn't said anything like this.
"Oh," was all Jay could say, eyes wide.
Skinny gazed at him.
"Do… do you miss it?" she ventured, cautious. "Being human, I mean."
Naruto glanced at the sleeping child in his arms.
"I used to. Though, not anymore," he revealed. "I didn't choose to become a gem, and I lost so much when I died. But, despite that, I've gained much, much more as a diamond. I've traveled through space. I've made countless friends among the stars. I'm no longer bound by former limitations. And most importantly, I have time. Time to change the lives of those around me."
Only five gems knew the truth of his origin, and the three quartz gems counted themselves fortunate to have this knowledge.
The girl in Naruto's arms yawned, waking from her slumber. Lavender eyes blinked up at him. And he couldn't help but think of Hinata—long since dead.
"Are you leaving soon, Red Diamond, sir?" she asked sweetly, rubbing her eyes.
Naruto nodded sadly. "Unfortunately, I am."
"Aww, but we had so much fun," she whined.
"We did, little one," he said, tousling her brown hair. "And I promise you, I'll be back."
"Okay!" she beamed, smiling brightly.
She was simply adorable. And the trio now understood why Red was so fond of these organics.
"Here we have the final stop," Holly proclaimed, standing beside a massive pink entrance. "Blue Diamond is right through these doors."
"Thank you, Holly," he said.
She nodded fiercely, glad he pleased with her. Holly typed in a series of codes. The doors opened, and he entered.
Greeted by pink light, Naruto looked around.
There, he thought, spotting the rose quartz gems, bubbled and floating about. Below, Blue was seated, staring at the stars above. Her pearl quickly welcomed him with a bow.
Naruto could feel tears welling in his eyes. He blinked them away, walking to where she was. His warm and pleasant aura made her turn.
"Red," Blue quickly said, wiping her eyes. "You're finished with the tour?"
"Yeah," he said gently. "Holly's quite the character, but I have to admit, she keeps this place running efficiently." He paused. "Are you alright?"
"I think so," Blue said. She looked around. "I still miss Pink very much." She took a shuddering breath. "However, Yellow was right. I can't keep grieving forever. Because I have you to worry about now."
He sat down next to her, and little space separated them. They remained silent for a time, just watching the stars through a transparent ceiling. The bubbled Rose Quartzes floated aimlessly through the air. He stretched forth a palm, drawing one of them to him.
"What will happen to these gems?" he asked.
"I don't know," Blue said. She observed the bubble in his grasp, frowning. "There's just something about a Rose Quartz—something inherently defective. Why else would a gem of this cut turn against her diamond?" she mused. "Even so, I cannot bring myself to destroy them. After all, they were hers."
"So, they'll remain like this?"
"I suppose," she replied. "Being bubbled is punishment enough."
"Then Blue…" he began.
"Yes?"
"I have a… request," Naruto said.
"What is it?" she inquired, eyes on him.
"Let me have the zoo."
There was a pause.
Blue tilted her head.
"The zoo," she repeated. "Why?"
"It just seems like you have a lot of work to do. There's no need to burden yourself with this place, is there?" He clasped his hands behind his spiky mane, continuing. "I was made on earth, and I feel a kind of… responsibility—an obligation—to preserve this place in Pink's stead."
"Is… that so?" she mused, thinking.
But someone interrupted them, clearing their throat. Both leaders looked downward, noticing Pearl forming the diamond salute, a screen floating in front of her.
"Pardon me, my Diamond, Red Diamond," she said softly. "But your next appointment quickly approaches."
Blue stood up, beautiful dress flowing to her feet.
"Let's go home," she said, suddenly excited. "This'll be your first extraction. We must hurry."
"But the zoo," he pressed.
Blue Diamond paused. Once again, she took the time to ruminate over his request.
She pondered deeply.
And finally, she gave one last look at the pink room.
"Very well, Red. Since you seem so set on this, I will let you manage the zoo from now on," she decided. "Consider this your first assignment. Though, it's quite simple, really—managing this place. You don't have to do much. But perhaps leading these few gems will be beneficial to you while your court is being created."
Naruto cracked a small smile.
He was relieved—glad he could accomplish this objective without much trouble.
But more tasks awaited him in the future, and things would only become more difficult.
All the soldiers gathered to see him off, standing in formation once again. Holly was in front; she looked up apprehensively. Blue was already leaving the docking bay, having bid them farewell.
The quartz trio stood before him, and Naruto beckoned them closer.
"You can stay here as long as you like, okay?"
They agreed, not wanting to leave the company of their kindergarten mates so soon.
"Whenever you're ready to come back, just tell Holly," he said, then turned to the blue quartz. "I'm sure she will contact me as swiftly as possible."
Holly quickly nodded. "Yes—yes! Certainly!"
He shifted his attention to the soldiers gathered in the docking bay.
"All of you," he announced. "From this point on, you will be under my supervision. I look forward to knowing each and every one of you."
Though they tried to remain rigid in their formation, a few smiles could be seen among the gathered soldiers.
"And Holly," he said.
Holly shivered nervously, wondering if she had done something wrong.
But Naruto only smiled. "Excellent work today. I enjoyed the tour."
Her eyes widened, head bowed.
"T-thank you, Red Diamond."
Homeworld
A dozen aquamarines flew around them, welcoming Blue Diamond as she approached her extraction chamber. They also showed Naruto much respect, greeting him fervently.
One particular aquamarine floated in close proximity, watching him curiously. A tear shaped gem laid just below her eye. And a bold one, this gem was. She almost seemed to be studying him, observing his masculine form with intrigue. But after a moment, she drew near to Blue, formed the diamond salute, then whispered something to the azure diamond.
Blue nodded, then said, "Good. Keep me updated, Aquamarine."
"Certainly, my Diamond," the little gem replied, before flying off with her cohorts.
"Anything I need to know?" he asked.
Blue shook her head. "Not at this point. But don't worry. Soon, you'll be familiar with the daily activities of us diamonds."
Naruto said no more, walking beside her. They moved down a lengthy blue corridor. The sound of rushing water reached him. Behind them, blue Pearl walked silently, chancing a glance at a him every few moments.
"Now, the sensation might be strange at first," Blue explained. "You will feel the aura in your gem being expelled, leaving through your physical form. Just relax and everything will be fine, okay?"
Naruto nodded as he prepared himself for his first extraction. A process that produced the raw materials needed to create new gems.
Incidentally, since the Rebellion's end, White had stopped attending these extraction sessions, leaving only Yellow and Blue to pick up the slack. This, invariably, led to a shortage of resources. Which meant less "adequate" gems, more "defective" gems, and the drastic modifications to Era II gems. Mainly, limb enhancers.
Ahead of them, the entrance to Blue's chamber was visible. Two topaz guards stood before the double doors, holding their weapons and securing what lay within the room. Not only them, but someone else was there, waiting. She stood with her arms crossed, tapping her foot against azure tiles. A pearl was also there, mimicking her owner's stance.
"Yellow?" Blue asked, stopping as they reached a flight of stairs. "What are you doing here?"
"What does it look like I'm doing?" she responded. Yellow almost seemed embarrassed, averting her gaze. "It seems as though I'll be… joining you two."
"But your assignments," Blue mentioned.
"On hold, for now," she responded quickly. "I might as well be here for his first extraction."
Blue's eyes began to water, causing the same to happen to every gem close by.
"Blue, please," said Yellow, wiping the tears from her eyes.
"Sorry, sorry." She laughed softly, guiding Naruto up the stairs. "It's just been so long since we've both been here."
Yellow looked around, contemplative.
"I suppose it has," she admitted.
"Then let's begin," Blue said happily, moving through the doors first, keen on making sure everything was ready.
Naruto and Yellow stood next to each other for a time, studying what lay before them. For him, it was a room he had never seen. For her, it was a room she knew all too well.
Yellow Diamond cleared her throat, glancing at him.
"So," she began stiffly. "I take it your day was… productive?"
"You could say that," Naruto replied, turning to her. "I've learned a lot in so little time. We visited facet 9 and 6. I've even begun studying various gem-types. But I do admit, I'm nowhere close to being used to all of this. And there's still so much left to learn."
Yellow hesitated, then turned to him.
"Don't worry," she encouraged, tone much gentler. "It's only been a day. Blue and I had to learn as well. Things become much easier with time."
"Okay," he replied, smiling. "Thanks, Yellow."
She nodded tersely. "Tomorrow, you'll be with me," she added, crossing her arms. She began walking into the extraction chamber. "Let's not keep Blue waiting."
Naruto followed her inside. But just before passing through the beautiful double doors, something stopped him dead in his tracks, something he hadn't quite noticed until now.
The statues, the ones that surrounded the entrance of Blue's pool, they were looking at him. Their eyes settled upon him, observing him curiously—excitedly.
However, the moment he caught their gazes, they quickly glanced away, fearful of being caught staring. He paused, waiting for them to move again.
They didn't.
He frowned, lingering, before finally walking into Blue's extraction chamber.
[Distant Galaxy – Unknown Planet]
A red star burned furiously, painting the land crimson.
It was eerily silent, and a terrible wind blew through the desolate city. Not quite primitive, but not so advanced either. It was a world on the brink of prosperity, once filled with the laughter of innocent children.
But such was no more.
Now, only death reigned supreme, for the last light of life had been extinguished.
The divine tree, felled by a single being, was nothing but a stump.
He sat upon it, relaxed, apathetic, despite the bodies strewn across the city streets.
The fruit of his labor lay in his palm, ripe, and ready to be devoured.
He smiled, a wicked curl of the lips.
"Not bad," the being said, taking a single bite.
END.
Bonding time with Blue! As expected, she already has a soft spot for Naruto. But despite this, she won't buckle in her beliefs that easily—as seen during their exchange about White.
And Naruto acquires the zoo! Meanwhile, Holly trembles nervously, not sure what to expect from this new diamond. Seriously, though. I kind of like Holly, and I see lots of potential in her character.
Lastly, the Cosmic Jubilee. It was briefly mentioned in "Lars of the Stars", and nothing about it was really shown. I'm taking some liberties here, but it's sure to be a fascinating celebration.
Next Chap, Naruto and Yellow (my favorite Diamond) spend some time together!